Justin Timberlake releases “Suit & Tie” after seven year hiatus

Over the last seven years we’ve seen Justin Timberlake star opposite Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network and Amanda Seyfried in In Time. What we haven’t seen is any new music after his last album Future Sex Love Songs. I was scared we were losing Timberlake to the acting world, but thankfully he came back for me…I mean us…the fans, with a new track called “Suit & Tie,” featuring Jay-Z.

The song was released at 12:01 this morning and is the first release off of his upcoming album The 20/20 Experience. After seven years, Justin is back, just like he promised. [Enter sexyback reference here.]

I was hoping for a fast, upbeat track but the beginning of the track was a little slow to start. “You ready JT?” Thank you Timbaland for that question. After an irritating intro, the beat picks up and Timberlake reminds us why we’re all so excited about his new music.

The point that the annoying intro finishes and when JT sings: “I can’t wait to get you on the floor good looking” is when I finally start to enjoy the song. Admittedly, it will probably be the lyric I’ll belt the loudest during a night out.

Final thoughts? I really, really wanted to like this song but to be honest it’s not my favourite. It seemed like Timberlake is trying too hard to sound “chilled out.” Still, I think it’ll grow on me after a few listens because it’s catchy enough. I’m not sure the song is strong enough to be the first single, but then again I havent heard the rest of the album.

Brittany Goldfield Rodrigues is a Journalism student who spends more time writing about pop culture than doing her readings. See her work on Fashionotes.com, YoungAdultMag.com, and BroadwayWorld.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Brittany_GR